We monitor our performance through reports provided by our management units and projects. These are structured around the four outcomes of Connecting People and Nature, with detail reflecting the business plan that we use to plan our work.

Quarterly performance reports

Every three months, the outcome manager evaluates the information received and report to our Senior Leadership Teamon progress and risks to delivery of our corporate and business plans.

The quarterly performance reports also include our current financial position, so that progress can be reviewed alongside spend. Corrective steps such as managing the budget may then be taken to ensure we stay on course to meet our outcomes and targets.

Annual report and accounts

Each year, we produce an annual report and accounts, which reports on our successes and performance over the previous year. Its main purpose is to give the Scottish Government an overview of our key areas of work. The report is made publicly available with the consent of the Scottish Government.

our annual accounts including Senior Leadership Team and Board member information

The annual accounts are prepared in compliance with the Accounts Direction issued by Scottish Ministers under section 10(3) of the Natural Heritage (Scotland) Act 1991. They are audited by Audit Scotland.

Our annual accounts provide:

a breakdown of income and expenditure

our balance sheet at the end of the financial year

our cash flow statement

the salaries of our Management Team and the level of remuneration awarded to Board members

Annual Report and Accounts 2018/19

Scotland’s nature and landscapes are some of our most valued assets. As Scotland’s nature agency we work to improve our natural environment and inspire everyone to care more about it, so that all nature in Scotland – our key habitats and landscapes, all our green space and our native species – is maintained, enhanced and brings us benefits.

We work with other public sector bodies, businesses, and volunteers to accomplish these aims and during 2018/19 made good progress towards our vision that by 2030, Scotland is recognised as a world leader in looking after and improving nature.

Here are a few of our key achievements this year:

Directly assisted in awarding some £12m of funding under the Agri-environment and Climate Scheme (AECS) to protect and enhance nature.

Led development of 54km of new and improved walking and cycling routes as part of the National Walking and Cycling Network.

Restored over 5,800ha of peatland to help address climate change.

Provided data for the first Natural Capital Account for Scotland. This highlighted that Scotland’s natural capital is worth an estimated 2018/19 Annual Report £273b.

Launched new challenge funds: one for Outdoor Learning in Nature that will support more young people to have regular and progressive outdoor learning experiences; and, one for biodiversity that will be used to improve habitats, safeguard species and encourage increased access to nature.

Our 2018/19 Annual Report goes into more detail about these projects and the work we’ve done to ensure a prosperous Scottish natural environment. Together, we can help Scotland flourish.